If you suspect that iron levels in your body are outside normal limits, the best thing you can do is to see a doctor. If your finances are limited, try participating in blood donation activities. Generally, the health technician will first do a blood test to make sure your hemoglobin level is good enough. This method is commonly used so that they are able to eliminate potential donors whose iron levels are too high or too low. Through this article, it will also help you to know the various symptoms to watch out for in order to know when is the right time to see a doctor.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Check with the Doctor
Step 1. Consult a doctor for low iron levels
Performing a medical examination is the most powerful and accurate method to determine the level of iron in your body. Try to make an appointment with your doctor at least 1-2 weeks after you experience common symptoms of anemia such as fatigue. Generally, the doctor will ask your medical history to determine whether you have experienced iron deficiency before. After that, the doctor will ask questions regarding your current health condition and the symptoms you are experiencing.
- If you experience tachycardia (a drastic increase in heart rate) or difficulty breathing, visit the nearest clinic or hospital immediately. Also, make sure you call emergency health services immediately if you experience chest pain and breathing problems at the same time.
- Most likely, the doctor will check your diet. For women, generally the doctor will also ask your current menstrual pattern.
- If possible, try to write down all of your symptoms before seeing your doctor. That way, there will be no important symptoms that you forget to tell your doctor.
Step 2. Prepare for a physical exam
Most likely, the doctor will perform an examination of your mouth, skin, and nail bed. In addition, the doctor will also listen to your heart and liver, and examine your lower abdomen for indications that your iron levels are too high or too low.
- Some of the symptoms of iron deficiency are fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme cold, pale skin, low appetite, and cravings for things that are not classified as food (known as pica disorder). If you experience one or more of them, tell your doctor immediately.
- Other physical symptoms to watch out for are broken nails, swollen tongue, cracked sides of the mouth, and persistent infections.
Step 3. Get ready for a blood test
If your iron level is suspected to be too high or low, your doctor will likely order several types of blood tests to get an accurate diagnosis. Usually, the test results will come out within 1-3 days after the examination is carried out.
Through this test, the doctor will determine the level of hemoglobin in your body. This value determines how much oxygen is bound by red blood cells
Method 2 of 3: Checking Iron Levels when Donating Blood
Step 1. Find the nearest blood donor location
Try browsing the internet or visiting the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) website to find a blood donor location that you can easily reach. Sometimes, PMI also provides special blood donation cars which are parked in several locations. Try going to them if you find one.
Make sure the blood donor committee holds a blood test to check the hemoglobin level in your body. Some organizations even conduct tests to determine the level of iron in the body of the person who will donate blood
Step 2. Participate in blood donation activities
Generally, you can come directly to the blood donor location without having to make an appointment in advance. Before donating blood, you need to go through various stages of examination to make sure your blood condition and health are good enough. In addition, you also need to be over 17 years old and weigh around 49 kg.
"Healthy" means that you are able to carry out your daily activities well and are not suffering from a chronic disease. Even if you have diabetes, for example, make sure the levels are still below normal limits. In addition, you must also not have infections such as influenza or fever, and have infectious diseases such as malaria, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS
Step 3. Get ready for a blood draw for testing
Before donating blood, your doctor or healthcare technician will prick your fingertip with a sterile needle. The dripping blood will be used as a medium to check your hemoglobin level.
Step 4. Check your hemoglobin level
In fact, hemoglobin levels can indicate the normality of iron levels in your body. If your doctor has forbidden you to donate blood, try to determine whether your hemoglobin level is too low or too high.
- Generally, your doctor will only give you a range of normal hemoglobin numbers, and explain whether your hemoglobin level is below or above that range. If your hemoglobin level is deemed too high or too low, you will most likely not be allowed to donate blood.
- Women who have hemoglobin levels below 12.5 g/dL and men who have hemoglobin levels below 13 g/dL are not allowed to donate blood because most likely, their iron levels are too low.
- On the other hand, women and men who have hemoglobin levels above 20 g/dL are also not allowed to donate blood because most likely, their iron levels are too high. However, such cases are very rare.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding the Symptoms of Too High or Low Iron Levels
Step 1. Watch out for excessive fatigue or lack of energy due to iron deficiency
Fatigue is one of the main symptoms that accompany a lack of iron in the body. Remember, iron is an essential intake for your red blood cells, and you certainly know that red blood cells are in control to circulate oxygen to all parts of the body. If your red blood cell levels are below normal, your body will automatically not be able to get maximum oxygen intake. As a result, you will feel tremendous fatigue afterward.
Generally, the feeling of fatigue that appears feels permanent and permanent rather than temporary
Step 2. Watch out for shortness of breath or dizziness due to iron deficiency
Because the body does not receive enough oxygen, iron deficiency is generally accompanied by dizziness or "floating". In some extreme cases, it can even make it hard for you to breathe! However, understand that these symptoms are very rare and generally only experienced by someone who is constantly losing large amounts of blood.
Another symptom that is also associated with iron deficiency is headaches
Step 3. Be aware of the temperature of the hands and feet that are too cold due to iron deficiency
An iron-deficient body does not have enough cells to circulate oxygen throughout the body. As a result, the heart is forced to work harder in pumping blood to all parts of the body. Therefore, it is possible that the temperature of the hands and feet of someone who has iron levels below normal will feel colder than usual.
Step 4. Watch out for skin that is too pale due to iron deficiency
Because the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, people with iron deficiency often have very pale skin. In addition to the skin, these symptoms will also appear on your nail bed and gums.
Step 5. Watch out for heart problems due to iron deficiency
Because the heart needs to work harder to pump blood around the body, a person with iron deficiency has a greater tendency to suffer from heart problems. For example, you may experience an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or heart murmurs.
Step 6. Be aware of the emergence of the desire to eat something that is not categorized as food
Generally, this unusual desire is the body's reaction to a lack of nutrients and iron. If you suddenly want to eat soil, ice, or flour, chances are that your body is experiencing an iron deficiency.
Step 7. Be aware of health disorders that attack digestion
In fact, digestive disorders such as constipation, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal pain can indicate high iron levels in your body.
However, understand that indigestion can also underlie a variety of other health problems so it can't necessarily be linked to abnormal iron levels
Warning
- If you experience symptoms of iron levels that are too high or low, immediately do a blood test at the nearest clinic or hospital.
- Always consult the desire to take or stop iron supplements. The doctor can recommend the right and safe dosage and consumption pattern for you.
